The unpredictability of supply and demand throughout the pandemic was a major challenge to the industry, but many organizations kept their focus on protecting people and assets. The pandemic exposed a number of supply chain vulnerabilities that companies will look to address, in addition to cost management and changes to operating models.
Smart factory and Industry 4.0 changes will continue as the industry seeks to become more digital, efficient and responsive, which is perhaps why respondents indicated cyber risk was considered a top five future risk. There have also been some recent high-profile cases of operational ransomware threatening to close plants down. As the industry embraces automation, this risk is only likely to increase.
The industry is one of those most exposed to market volatility, so organizations will continue to brace for impact as uncertainty remains in the coming year.
Full results
Industrials and Manufacturing
Future Shocks
1. Economic disruption
2. Another health crisis / pandemic
3. Geopolitical tension
4. A major cyber event
5. Technological disruption
46%
24%
4%
10%
15%
2%
Our business has been severely impacted and our ongoing viability is uncertain
Our business has been severely impacted and will take significant time to recover
Our business has been impacted, but we are unsure of the long-term impact
Our business has been impacted, but has been resilient
Our business has remained steady during COVID-19 with little impact
Our business has thrived during COVID-19
Impact Severity
